30+ Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

From Instant Pot mashed potatoes to sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole, this guide has all of the gluten-free and healthy Thanksgiving side dishes you have been craving this year!  You will find the absolute BEST Thanksgiving sides that also happen to be gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, and many are vegan, too!

Hello my wonderful friends, family and fabulous readers!!

Did you know Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner?!

Eeek!  I am not sure if it was the hot weather that seemed to drag on FOREVER here in Texas…

Or perhaps it is all of the activities we have been doing this Fall…

Whatever the case – it totally snuck up on me!!  Do you feel the same way?

Thanksgiving Side Dishes Guide to the Rescue!

In case you’re in a Thanksgiving scurry, I thought I might try and help you out a bit.

Below you will see all of the BEST healthy Thanksgiving side dishes found here at Evolving Table.com

(They also ALL happen to be gluten-free for those of you that need to avoid it!)  

Some of these recipes have been in my family for years (totally check out the Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole!)…

While others are a new creation that came about this year (Duchess Potatoes are a complete show-stopper!).

All of them, though, are 100% gluten-free and have a healthy twist!

If you happen to try out any of the recipes below, I would love to hear how they turned out!  Simply leave a comment in the section below. 🙂  Ok, enough with the chit-chat…

Bring on the Healthy
Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes!!…

Duchess Potatoes

(GF, Vegetarian)

Ditch the mashed potatoes for gorgeous Duchess Potatoes with this easy-to-make recipe! Boiled potatoes mixed with milk and egg yolks are piped and baked in the oven for a crispy outside and fluffy inside. Make your holiday table for Thanksgiving or Christmas extra fancy by serving this impressive side dish!

Traditional Sausage Stuffing

(GF option, Dairy-Free)

Traditional Sausage Stuffing is full of fresh sage and herb flavor, has a pudding-like consistency with a crisp topping and is loaded with ground sausage.  Learn how easy it is to make the best and most classic Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish completely from scratch.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

(GF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Thinly Shaved Brussels Sprouts are mixed together with cranberries and walnuts and then tossed in a creamy, homemade honey mustard dressing.  This simple salad recipe is easy to make ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners or even meal prep for weekday lunches.  You can also easily make this gluten-free and vegetarian dish vegan, too! 

Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce

(GF, DF, Vegan)

An easy and homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe that is made with fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and a bit of honey or maple syrup.  Learn how to make fresh cranberry sauce with orange juice that is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, Paleo, and tastes so much better than the canned kind!

Cauliflower au Gratin

(GF, Vegan Option, Low-Carb)

Creamy, cheesy, healthy, low-carb, and secretly easy to make – this Cauliflower au Gratin will put your other casserole recipes to shame!  Cauliflower florets are roasted in the oven, tossed in a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese, and then baked until golden and crispy.  You can serve this vegetarian and keto-friendly side dish for a fancy Thanksgiving or holiday dinner, or meal prep it for busy weeks!

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

(GF, Vegan)

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole is topped with a pecan and oat crumble for a lightened-up, gluten-free version of your favorite Thanksgiving Day casserole!

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe

(GF, DF)

A Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe that is made from gluten-free cornbread, the “trinity” of bell peppers, onions, and celery, andouille sausage, and full of soul food spices.  This easy cornbread dressing has been served as one of our traditional Thanksgiving Day side dishes at our holiday table for decades.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

(GF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower is a wonderful vegan, keto, low-carb, and Paleo cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe.  This cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe will give you super creamy cauliflower that is loaded with garlic flavor and are sure to be a hit at your Christmas, Thanksgiving, or weeknight dinner table. 

Roasted Butternut Squash & Sage Risotto

(GF, Vegetarian, Vegan Option)

Butternut Squash Risotto is bursting with fresh sage flavor, has a creamy and silky smooth texture, and a little bite from Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.  Learn how easy it is to make this risotto recipe at home by following a few step-by-step instructions.  Your loved ones will be requesting this homemade butternut squash risotto from you again and again!

Loaded Hasselback Potatoes

(Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free option)

Enjoy all of the flavors you know and love in a baked potato with these Loaded Hasselback Potatoes!  Russet potatoes are thinly sliced, slathered in a butter and garlic sauce, stuffed with cheddar cheese, and then roasted in the oven until perfectly crispy.  Top them with a bit of crumbled bacon and sour cream for a gorgeous side dish that will impress your guests at a weeknight dinner party or for a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday meal.

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

(Gluten-Free, Paleo + Vegan + Dairy-Free options)

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes are thinly sliced, slathered in a brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon sauce, and then roasted in the oven until perfectly crisp and tender!  Throw on a bit of coarsely chopped pecans just before serving as an impressive side at your next Thanksgiving or holiday party.  They’re also easily adaptable to be gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo.

Smashed Brussels Sprouts

(GF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Smashed Brussels Sprouts are sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, coated in a garlic and herb butter and roasted in the oven.  This quick and easy roasted Brussels sprouts recipe makes a great low-carb, keto, vegetarian, and gluten-free side dish recipe.  It’s perfect for a dinner party or a Thanksgiving day meal.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes (with 3 Variations!)

(GF, DF, Vegan)

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are an easy, healthy, vegan, and Paleo side dish recipe for a weeknight dinner or Thanksgiving gathering.  Learn How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes that can be served with brown sugar, savory bacon, or garlic and herbs.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

(GF, DF, Vegan)

Enjoy a big bowl of roasted butternut squash soup that is made with coconut milk and other Whole 30, vegan, dairy-free, and Paleo-friendly ingredients.  This vegan butternut squash soup is full of oven-roasted and baked butternut squash and makes a wonderful main dish, appetizer, or side dish recipe.

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash

(GF, DF, Vegan)

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash is cut into cubes and then tossed in a delicious maple-herb sauce and baked in the oven.  This easy roasted butternut squash recipe is a quick, healthy, vegan and Paleo recipe for the Fall and Winter seasons that would also be an easy Thanksgiving side dish recipe to make. 

Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic & Herbs

(GF, DF, Vegan)

Crispy smashed potatoes are smothered in a delicious garlic and herb sauce for a gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free side dish recipe.  These easy garlic smashed potatoes are made with red potatoes, butter or olive oil, rosemary and thyme!  

Fall Harvest Salad with Apples

(GF, DF, Vegan)

A Fall Harvest Salad that is full of sliced apples, roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, and is tossed in a delicious maple apple cider vinegar dressing.  This kale or spinach salad with apples makes an easy, healthy, and vegan salad recipe for a Fall dinner party or Thanksgiving meal.

Instant Pot Glazed Carrots

(GF, Vegetarian, Vegan)

Instant Pot Glazed Carrots are a quick and easy side dish made from baby carrots, brown sugar, butter, and a touch of cinnamon.  The natural sweetness of the carrots is complemented by the savory butter sauce and sweet sugar topping.  And with less than 5 minutes of prep time, you can have this simple recipe ready to enjoy for a special holiday dinner, Easter lunch, or even a weeknight meal in under 20 minutes!  

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon & Garlic

(GF, DF, Vegetarian, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Make the perfect crisp and tender Roasted Asparagus every time with this easy recipe! Once the woody ends are trimmed away, the spears are coated in garlic and quickly baked in the oven to avoid getting soggy. Finish off this healthy side dish with a burst of fresh lemon zest to take it over-the-top!

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

(GF, DF, Low-Carb)

Super crispy Brussel sprouts with bacon will soon become your new favorite go-to gluten-free and Paleo side dish recipe!  A few simple tricks will teach you how to make crispy Brussel sprouts every time.

Garlic & Herb Whole Roasted Cauliflower

(GF, DF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Whole Roasted Cauliflower is coated in a delicious garlic and herb sauce and then baked in the oven.  It makes an easy healthy side dish recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.  This oven roasted cauliflower head recipe is also gluten-free, vegetarian, low-carb, keto and Paleo. 

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

(GF, DF, Low-Carb)

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a low-carb, keto, and healthy side dish recipe that is great for weeknight dinners or as a Thanksgiving Day vegetable dish!  Learn the ingredients, tools, and techniques that will teach you how to make bacon wrapped asparagus that turns out perfectly every single time!

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

(GF, DF, Vegan)

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are ultra rich, super creamy, and secretly gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and Whole30-approved!  This easy garlic mashed potatoes recipe is made with red skin potatoes, garlic, butter or buttery sticks, and fresh herbs for a healthy side dish recipe the whole family will love.

 

Green Bean Casserole

(GF, DF, Vegan)

This easy Green Bean Casserole recipe is made from scratch with fresh green beans, homemade crispy onions, and a gluten-free and vegan cream of mushroom soup.  Learn how to make green bean casserole that is a family favorite Paleo, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free Christmas and Thanksgiving side dish recipe.

Healthy Squash Casserole

(GF, DF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Use up all of your summer squash in this super easy and healthy summer squash casserole.  This squash and zucchini casserole is a quick side dish for any meal!

Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Carrots

(GF, DF)

With only six ingredients and five minutes of prep time, you can have these Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Carrots as a super easy and healthy gluten-free side dish!  An easy way to make honey glazed carrots in the Crock-Pot!

Green Beans Almondine

(GF, DF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

Green Beans Almondine is a simple side dish recipe that can be made ahead or whipped up in under 20 minutes!  This Green Bean Almondine Recipe is made with butter, garlic, almonds, and a touch of lemon juice for a light, refreshing, gluten-free, vegetarian, and low-carb side dish.

Honey Roasted Carrots with Herbs

(GF, DF, Low-Carb)

Honey roasted carrots are tossed in a sweet honey and herb sauce for a quick and easy side dish recipe.  This healthy, easy, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian roasted carrots recipe is a simple side dish recipe that has over 500% of your Vitamin A daily requirement!

Chopped Kale Salad with Cranberries

(GF, DF, Vegan)

Chopped Kale Salad with Cranberries is tossed in a delightful maple and orange vinaigrette and then topped with toasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, onions and goat cheese.  It makes a wonderful Christmas and Thanksgiving salad recipe that is full of Fall and Winter flavors!

Oven-Roasted Beets with Honey Ricotta

(GF)

An elegant but super easy side dish, these oven-roasted beets are served with a slightly sweet and tangy honey ricotta and fresh herbs.  

Chopped Broccoli Salad with Balsamic

(GF, DF, Vegan, Low-Carb)

This chopped broccoli salad is tossed in a sweet sauce full of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and a bit of almond butter.  It is finished with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds for a healthy, gluten-free side dish recipe!